Rift of the NecroDancer

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Rift of the NecroDancer
Release Date Gameplay & Story Pre-Order & DLC Review
Release Date
PC
February 5, 2025
Nintendo Switch
2025
More Details
Genre
Music
Platforms Price (MSRP)
Steam Icon Switch Icon
$19.99
Developer Publisher
Brace Yourself Games
Tic Toc Games
Klei Publishing
Number of Players Age Rating
Single-Player (1) ESRB E10+
Time to Finish Cross Platform Play
10 Hours No
Official Website Official Website for Rift of the NecroDancer

Rift of the NecroDancer Latest News

 ⚫︎ Rift of the NecroDancer Interview: A Rhythm Game Like No Other (GameRant)

 ⚫︎ Rift of the NecroDancer Delayed to February 5, 2025 (Brace Yourself Games)

 ⚫︎ Thanks for making Rift a top 50 demo during Steam Next Fest! (Brace Yourself Games)

 ⚫︎ Thank you for 150,000+ wishlists and 50,000+ demo downloads! (Brace Yourself Games)

Rift of the Necrodancer Overview

Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game developed by Brace Yourself Games and Tic Toc Games, and published by Klei Publishing. It launched on PC on February 5, 2025, with a Nintendo Switch release later in the year. It features a new soundtrack by Danny Baranowsky, Josie Brechner, and other artists, with over 35 tracks at launch.

A spin-off within the NecroDancer series, Rift of the NecroDancer sees Cadence, the protagonist of Crypt of the NecroDancer, pulled into the modern world, where she must confront monsters emerging from encroaching Rifts. Using the power of rhythm, players will battle these adversaries to seal the Rifts and restore order.

The game departs from the dungeon-crawling setting of Crypt of the NecroDancer, instead of top-down dungeon exploration with rhythm-based movement and combat, it adopts a rhythm game format reminiscent of games like Guitar Hero. Players engage in Rhythm Rifts, where they must hit notes in time with the music to defeat enemies. Each enemy has unique behaviors, and players must adapt to their rhythmic input.


Steam IconSteam Switch IconNintendo
$19.99 Wishlist Only


Rift of the NecroDancer Gameplay

Rift of the NecroDancer diverges from the rhythmic dungeon crawling of Crypt of the NecroDancer. The core gameplay revolves around Rhythm Rifts, musical encounters where players must match button presses to on-screen prompts in time with the music. Much like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, these prompts scroll down the screen and require precise timing for successful hits.

The game introduces a variety of enemy types, each with unique attack patterns and behaviors. These enemy actions are synchronized with the music and demand players to not only maintain the rhythm but also adapt to the challenges these enemies present. Some enemies may require sustained notes, quick taps, or specific button combinations. Successful hits damage enemies, while missed notes can result in taking damage or other penalties.

Rift of the NecroDancer Reviews

An Encore is Requested

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Rift of the NecroDancer currently holds a respectable 81 on Metacritic, with widespread praise for its soundtrack. Game8 lauded the game’s innovative twists on the rhythm game genre, awarding it an 88 out of 100, though they noted the story’s simplicity. GameRant echoed this praise with a 9 out of 10, highlighting the strong level design and diverse game modes, while cautioning about the occasionally overwhelming difficulty curve.

IGN gave the game an 8 out of 10, commending its fresh take on established genre conventions, but echoing concerns about a lack of focus, a criticism sometimes leveled at Brace Yourself Games’ previous titles. In contrast, The Gamer offered a more critical perspective, giving the game a 3.5 out of 5. While they acknowledged the game’s numerous mechanics, they ultimately felt the sudden difficulty spikes detracted from the overall experience.

Rift of the NecroDancer Announcement Trailer

Reveal Trailer

The reveal trailer showcased a variety of gameplay elements, including what appears to be a rift mode and min-game challenges, such as striking yoga poses and battling enemies with guitar riffs.

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